UNH men's hockey expects growing pains on defense

DURHAM — In terms of results, Saturday's exhibition game against New Brunswick isn't that important.

AL PIKE

DURHAM — In terms of results, Saturday's exhibition game against New Brunswick isn't that important.

But it is the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team's first and only dress rehearsal (4 p.m. at the Whittemore Center) before getting into the teeth of its Hockey East schedule the following week at Boston University.

"It's a chance for us to get out there and evaluate where we're at," senior co-captain Damon Kipp said Thursday during the team's annual media day at the Whitt. "We're playing a really good team. Obviously in this league you don't get a lot of time to go through exhibition games and work out the kinks, so you've got to do the best you can to work them out that game and then we're right into the season the next weekend."

Saturday is also the first official day of practice. Until then, the Wildcats have been conducting informal captains' practices.

"It's definitely a little benchmark of what we need to accomplish before the BU game," goalie Matt Di Girolamo said of the exhibition.

New Brunswick should give UNH a decent test. The Varsity Reds went 42-9 last season and won the University Cup, which goes to Canada's best college hockey team.

"We'll get some kinks out," said coach Dick Umile. "We haven't practiced a whole lot. We'll see if we can play at a high pace and see if we can move the puck at a high pace."

Although the Wildcats lost their top four scorers from last season, the biggest challenge will be on defense where the Wildcats lost three top-six defensemen, including Blake Kessel, who left a year early to turn pro.

That means they will dress three defensemen who haven't played a minute of college hockey. That group includes sophomores Eric Knodel and Justin Agosta. Both practiced with the team last year but did not play in a game.

Freshman Trevor van Riemsdyk, the younger brother of former Wildcat and current Philadelphia Flyer James van Riemsdyk, has the inside track for the sixth spot.

"I think the freshman class is a good class," Umile said, "but it's always about last year's returning freshmen. I think they'll fill in some important roles for us."

Trevor van Riemsdyk has played for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs the past two years. UNH has an eight-member freshman class, including four forwards, three defensemen and a goalie.

The group includes Durham's Ryan Randall, a defenseman, and Rochester's Casey DeSmith, a goaltender. DeSmith will compete with sophomore Jeff Wyer and senior Tyler Scott for the backup spot behind Di Girolamo.

"Consistency is the biggest strength I need to have this year," Di Girolamo said. "Teams with a consistent goalie are usually pretty successful because they know what to expect from you every game."

With UNH's top three forwards gone from last season, the Wildcats figure to be more balanced offensively this year.

"I think this year you'll see production from a variety of guys," said senior co-captain Mike Borisenok.

Senior Stevie Moses is the team's leading returning scorer with 14 goals and 26 points last year.

"It won't be one person putting up big numbers like Paul (Thompson)," Umile said. "I think we'll have two or three lines that will be able to score. I'm comfortable we can move the puck and create offense. Defense is going to be the challenge."

The inexperience on defense could put added pressure on Di Girolamo, who returns for his second season as the starter. He led the nation in minutes played last season, set a school record for saves and posted a .923 save percentage.

"He's going to give us his best," Borisenok said. "Every game he's going to put us in a situation to win."

UNH is coming off another NCAA playoff disappointment. For the third year in a row, the Wildcats came within one win of reaching the Frozen Four.

They dropped a 2-1 decision to Notre Dame in the national quarterfinals at Manchester's Verizon Wireless Arena.

"That playoff loss last year was a long time ago," Moses said. "It was tough at the time. We're thinking about the exhibition game and then getting going this year."

Following Saturday's exhibition, the Wildcats open the regular season a week later at BU for the first of three straight Hockey East games.

They play at Northeastern on Oct. 14. Their home opener is Oct. 15 against preseason league favorite Boston College.

UNH then plays a two-game series at St. Cloud State before a stretch of four consecutive home games.

"We're going to get tested early on," Borisenok said.

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